Why is $2500 just not enough :(
- Thread starter Rscott
- Start date
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Buy used. There are so many people in this hobby who are constantly upgrading, or quitting because they get frustrated, there's always good quality used equipment for sale for a fraction of the cost of new. Local reef clubs are a great resource for this. I got a 125G setup with stand, sump, skimmer, overflow box, ATO, 4 LED modules w/2 controllers, powerheads, heaters, and live rock, all for less than $1000. It's certainly not state-of-the-art, but so far it appears to contain a thriving reef ecosystem. Reef clubs are also a good place to get cheap or free livestock.
Bottom line, if you're patient and willing to wait for a good deal, this hobby can be fairly inexpensive. If you want the latest and greatest, you'll pay through the nose for it.
Bottom line, if you're patient and willing to wait for a good deal, this hobby can be fairly inexpensive. If you want the latest and greatest, you'll pay through the nose for it.
Personally, I have two Red Sea tanks, a 130D (34 gallons) and a 425xl (88 gal plus 24 g sump). The 130D bought used 5 years ago with chiller and a bunch of stuff for $500. The 425 xl reefer bought also used as a running system for $1500. As you can see, you can keep it under $3k for sure. The issue is the rest of the purchases that follow once you have a tank.
Used equipment will be the way to. I’m thinking of selling my RedSea 250 and upgrading. Realistically the tank, sicce 3.0 return pump, 2 heaters and 2 Radion 15 g3 pros. Will end up selling for 1500 or so.
If you want to do it new then think about it in stages.
Month 1: Tank, sand, rock, heaters and pump
Month 3: lights
Month 6: protein skimmer and other equipment.
Month 8: schedule black market organ sale for coral.
Basically get the tank cycling right now and save or watch for used equipments, you have months.
If you want to do it new then think about it in stages.
Month 1: Tank, sand, rock, heaters and pump
Month 3: lights
Month 6: protein skimmer and other equipment.
Month 8: schedule black market organ sale for coral.
Basically get the tank cycling right now and save or watch for used equipments, you have months.
They to buy a used, quality set up. It's a buyer's market. I was blessed that a guy who cleans my friend's 300 gallon found me a 75/45 glass tanks with octopus 1000, two AI 26's, 80 lbs. live rock, under adequate pump and sand and all his advice for $800. I'm at around $3,500 now after a year of upgrades and near weekly water changes, 17 mixed corals and anem. Still need carbon system and automation. Had a guy given me a 210 gallon tank but I knew better than try to take care of that and still keep my Bride 
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